Deaf Awareness Week in partnership with RNID

Breaking down communication barriers at St. Pancras International

During Deaf Awareness Week, from 4th – 10th May, we’ve partnered with RNID to bring a powerful and thought-provoking installation to St. Pancras International, inviting visitors to experience the everyday communication barriers faced by those who are deaf or have hearing loss.

At the centre of the activation was a large transparent box, placed within the busy station concourse. Members of the public were invited to step inside and attempt simple interactions, highlighting just how challenging communication can become when usual methods aren’t accessible.

The experience was demonstrated by some familiar faces, such as TV personality and disability activist Tasha Ghouri, and actor, singer and speaker, Georgia Meacham, helping to show how small changes in communication can make a meaningful difference.

RNID’s latest research shows that:

• 23% of people would avoid a conversation with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss if they felt communication would be too difficult
• 32% worry about saying or doing the wrong thing
• 43% are concerned about appearing patronising

Encouragingly, the research also highlights a strong willingness to do better. Through its ‘It does matter’ campaign, RNID is helping to build confidence by sharing simple communication tips and British Sign Language (BSL) phrases, showing that small actions, such as being patient or ensuring they can see your face, can make conversations more inclusive.

You can sign up for RNID’s communication tips, including videos of simple British Sign Language phrases you can learn, and find out what small changes you can make to show ‘It does matter’.